Acupressure massage is a regimen that has been practiced since the origins of Chinese medicine in 1600 BC. This ritual has a number of benefits for the hair which include:
- blood health
- circulation of blood to the scalp and face
- bringing oxygen to the skull
- detoxification
- removing dandruff, dead skin cells and debris
- In turn, these benefits promote hair growth and strengthen existing hair. To boost the overall benefits of acupressure massage it is recommended that you use olive oil when massaging the scalp as it neutralizes DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss. Olive oil contains natural ingredients that reduce the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on the scalp; Hence by using it while practicing massage you are helping in promoting hair growth internally as well as externally.
how to do it:
1) Start by twisting a lock of hair around your finger and give a gentle tug at the roots, just to stimulate the nerve endings.
2) There is a spot on the skull called the “seat of pleasure”, which is located about 6-8 finger widths above your eyebrows- start here. You will be able to feel that it is slightly softer than the rest of your scalp.
3) Begin using circular strokes, gently massaging the seat of pleasure before branching out to the rest of the scalp; Let your strokes get stronger as you move away from the pleasure spot.
4) As you branch out, pay special attention to the occipital ridge, the attachment point where the muscle attaches to the scalp—just at the top of your neck at your hairline. Here you will find a powerful acupressure point. If you feel any tension around here, apply pressure with your thumb or fingers and stay there for a few moments; You can hold this point for a few minutes if you want a deeper release. After quitting, you will feel that blood circulation has started to happen easily and the traces of stress will go away.
5) Draw a line down the middle of your skull with your finger. Acupressure points are located below this line; Stimulate them by applying gentle pressure with the pads of your fingers. Stop when you reach the bottom of your hairline.
6) Focus on the edge of your hairline that frames your face. Not only will massaging these points encourage hair growth, they are the perfect places to encourage stress relief.
7) Acupressure points are found all over the scalp so make sure your finger pads massage the entire area. Repeat the process of applying pressure and letting go until you feel the points loosen.
8) It ends massaging your hair growth. Following these instructions, the blood flow with nutrients and oxygen increases towards the scalp. This will nourish the growing hair from the inside while the olive oil will get rid of the build up of DHT on the outside.
Other powerful acupressure points include the jaw attachment points, temples, behind the ears and the inner corners of your eyebrows. Incorporate these points into your daily massage to appreciate the hair benefits. Here’s a quick guide to those points and the benefits of manipulating them.
Inside the brow bone:
If you’ve spent too many hours at the computer or you’re stressed out, there’s an easy way to cure that tension headache. Gently press your thumb or index finger inside your brow bone and move it in a circular motion. This point can be very tense and painful at first. Usually, if you press hard enough, you’ll be able to feel the pain extending from your eye sockets down your neck. The good news is that after working this point for two to five minutes, the relief follows the same pattern. You will feel your tight head loosen up and this feeling often extends around the eye socket and up to the jaw and neck.
Occipital ridge:
It is the area at the back of the head where the base of the skull meets the spine. Associated with this point are muscles that often become tense and tight when sitting or being stressed for long periods of time. A slow and rhythmic circular massage or a firm stroking motion on the tense points of the occipital ridge will ease neck, shoulder and head tension. Massaging this area often reduces the headache so well that there is no need for painkillers. When using a stroking motion, the spinal fluid is often helped along the spine; It promotes general well-being and is a wonderful stress reliever. Stimulation of points along the occipital ridge also encourages blood flow to the scalp which promotes hair growth.
Temple:
A circular massage of the temples is a well-known cure for headaches; But what most don’t know is that it also brings blood to the skin of the face and scalp. It promotes hair growth and encourages the skin to acquire a healthy glow. The increased blood flow to the face also encourages muscle tone and prevents premature aging. Rhythmic massage around the temples will reduce tension and pain around the head and often in the neck as well if corrected.
jaw:
Many people are surprised when they find that muscle attachments on the jaw can be stimulated during acupressure massage. We hold an excessive amount of tension around our jaws; The sad part is that many people miss out on the wonderful results that stimulating this acupressure point can have. Massaging the jaw increases blood flow to the facial muscles giving them a concentrated dose of nutrients; This in turn promotes good muscle tone, a healthy glow and prevention of wrinkles. The best method for massaging the jaw involves leaving your mouth open and feeling for tense areas. Once you’ve identified tense points with muscle involvement, begin a gentle, circular massage. This is often too gentle for many people, so be careful when starting out. Be gentle
it is important to note:
- Continuous pressure can be applied to all of the points listed above for a few minutes at a time. “Holding” marks for an extended period of time provides a deeper release.
- Massaging removes a lot of toxins from the body, so it is important to drink plenty of water afterwards. It prevents cramps, headache and muscle fatigue.
- Alternate between long, relaxing strokes and massage of acupressure points for a stress-relieving experience.
- A one-time scalp massage will not produce new hair, in fact you should do it daily to see results.
Source by Danielle K E
